Chapter 130: Pride Comes Before Pain
"Both contestants, please take your positions. The match is about to begin!"
After repeated calls from the referee, Tai Long finally snapped out of his shock, hurriedly running to his spot on the platform. However, his earlier confidence had completely vanished.
"First Soul Skill, Rock Defense!"
"Third Soul Skill, Golden Ape Body!"
Snapping back to his senses, Tai Long followed the initial plan and immediately activated his two enhancing skills, maximizing his physical strength.
Before the match, Yu Xiaogang's strategy for Tai Long could be summed up in one word—endure!
Utilize the defense and power of his Giant Ape martial spirit to withstand his opponent's attacks, draining their soul power until they were exhausted.
It wasn't a bad strategy on paper. As a pure power-based defense-type soul master, Tai Long had an advantage against agility-based soul masters. However, a crucial condition was needed for this strategy to work: both fighters had to be on a similar level.
With Xie Wu at Level 47 and Tai Long at only Level 38, sheer power disparity made any strategy meaningless.
Realizing the vast gap in their soul power, Tang San wished Tai Long would abandon the original strategy. However, Tai Long was already on stage, and giving instructions now would be a violation, so Tang San could only hope Tai Long would adapt to the situation.
Unfortunately, Tai Long turned out to be as stubborn as ever. Facing an opponent much stronger than him, he still chose to take Xie Wu's attacks head-on. After several powerful kicks from Xie Wu, Tai Long staggered backward, eventually falling out of the ring.
With Tai Long out, Zhu Zhuqing stepped up next.
Without the benefit of any special herbs, Zhu Zhuqing had also failed to reach the Soul Elder level. Her cultivation was around the same level as Tai Long, between Level 37 and 38. As the least gifted of the Shrek Seven Devils, with an innate soul power barely above Level 7, reaching this level at the age of fourteen was a testament to her hard work and perseverance.
Facing an opponent far stronger than herself, Zhu Zhuqing didn't choose to forfeit. Instead, she unleashed her full power, her Ghost Shadow Cat martial spirit enhancing her speed to its peak. Even if she couldn't win, she was determined to exhaust as much of her opponent's soul power as possible.
Unfortunately, Xie Wu had the ability to fly.
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's relentless attempts, Xie Wu used his third soul skill to soar into the air.
"Zhu Zhuqing is bound to lose!"
In the spectator area, even Ning Fengzhi, Xue Ye, and Salas on the main platform came to the same conclusion as they watched Xie Wu hovering with wings extended.
As an agility-type soul master, Zhu Zhuqing's three soul skills were all focused on speed and close-combat abilities. She had no means to attack Xie Wu in the air, while he could launch attacks at her at any time.
"How despicable!"
In Shrek's viewing area, Tang San scowled. "His soul power is clearly much higher than Zhu Zhuqing's, yet he doesn't dare face her head-on. Instead, he uses such underhanded tactics to drain her soul power. Even if he wins, is it really something to be proud of?"
Teachers from nearby academies who overheard Tang San's remark kept their faces impassive, ignoring him. After all, with teachers setting examples like this, students making such comments came as no surprise.
"Second Soul Skill, Meteor Kick!"
On the field, after several rounds of harassing attacks from Xie Wu, Zhu Zhuqing's soul power was quickly depleted.
Spotting an opening, Xie Wu activated his second soul skill, delivering a flying kick that sent Zhu Zhuqing out of the ring.
Xie Wu showed some mercy, clearly holding back his strength. His kick only sent Zhu Zhuqing out of bounds without causing any real harm.
Acknowledging his sportsmanship, Zhu Zhuqing gave him a small nod of thanks.
"Xiao San, you're the last one left!"
When it was finally his disciple's turn to go up, Yu Xiaogang stopped playing the ostrich and stood up, addressing Tang San. "We don't have much of a chance left in this match. Why not forfeit now? We can conserve our strength and prepare for the next round."
Flander agreed with Yu Xiaogang's suggestion. "Xiao San, the upcoming matches will be tough. Right now, both Mubai and Hongjun are severely injured and won't be able to participate tomorrow or the day after. You're the only fully capable member left on the team, so we'll be relying on you for the following rounds."
Liu Erlong, as always, acted as Yu Xiaogang's loyal supporter, nodding in agreement. Whatever Yu Xiaogang said, no matter how unreasonable, she would always see as sensible.
"No, Teacher, Dean, I want to try!" Tang San replied with determination, shaking his head stubbornly. "I won't give up until the very end!"
Tang San's attitude, if framed positively, was resilience. In a less flattering light, it was sheer stubborn pride.
If only Xie Wu remained on the opposing side, with his soul power about five levels higher than Tang San's, then maybe Tang San would be justified in not conceding.
But besides Xie Wu, the other team still had five fresh members waiting to enter, including Huo Wu, whose attribute directly countered Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. It was also highly likely that they had even stronger soul masters hidden among their ranks.
Did Shrek Academy still have any chance of winning?
Clearly not, so what purpose did Tang San's participation serve?
As Flander pointed out, they still had several rounds ahead. With main players like Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun injured, only Tang San was in peak condition. If he went into a hopeless match now, he would only wear himself down, adding to the team's injuries.
Yet, in the peculiar worldview of Shrek, such disregard for the bigger picture was seen as heroic. With everyone's admiring gaze upon him, Tang San walked onto the stage step by step.
"His soul power may be higher than mine, but I have the Xuantian skill, Eight Spider Lances, and my twin martial spirits, including the Clear Sky Hammer. These are things he doesn't have. I may not lose to him!"
As he walked onto the stage, Tang San kept encouraging himself. By the time he reached his spot, his eyes were filled with confidence.
"Let the match begin!"
At the referee's signal, Tang San released his martial spirit, with four soul rings—two yellow and two purple—floating above the blue-glowing Blue Silver Grass.
"Third Soul Skill, Radiant Wings!"
Xie Wu wasted no time in activating his third soul skill. A pair of radiant wings exuding a holy light extended from his back. Just as he had done with Zhu Zhuqing, Xie Wu used his aerial advantage to harass and deplete Tang San's soul power.
While Blue Silver Grass could extend its reach, its growth range was limited, falling short of Xie Wu's flight altitude.
(End of Chapter)
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